Royal Oak, MI — Baker College joins the inaugural cohort of the Michigan College Access Network’s (MCAN) Gateway Course Redesign Faculty Academy, an 18-month, faculty-driven initiative focused on transforming key gateway courses to improve student success, retention, and completion. The Academy, launched in collaboration with Almy Education and Sova, brings together faculty teams from colleges and universities across Michigan to redesign high-impact introductory courses such as English, math, biology, and chemistry, with equity, access, and effectiveness at the forefront.
“Michigan’s colleges and universities play a vital role in equipping students with the degrees and credentials that open doors to economic mobility and align with the state’s changing workforce needs,” said Ryan Fewins-Bliss, MCAN executive director. “When gateway courses are redesigned to reduce barriers and prioritize student success, they can boost achievement, strengthen retention, and increase completion rates.”
As part of the Academy, participating institutions receive expert-led technical assistance, tailored coaching, and opportunities for collaboration with peer institutions statewide. Each college or university also receives $10,000 in implementation funding to support redesign efforts.
The initiative is especially significant for institutions like Baker College, where supporting first-generation students, adult learners, and diverse student populations remains a central mission. “Baker College was invited to apply, and it was a perfect fit with our ongoing focus on removing barriers and creating stronger academic launch points for our students,” said LaTasha Ellis, Dean of Undergraduate Studies. “This work directly supports Baker’s commitment to retention, completion, and equitable outcomes by strengthening the very courses that shape students’ earliest academic experiences.”
Gateway courses serve as foundational stepping stones for all academic pathways, and redesign efforts aim to make these courses more supportive, more accessible, and more aligned with students’ academic preparation and long-term goals. “When gateway courses work better, everything works better. Students build momentum, faculty see stronger engagement, and Baker continues to fulfill its mission of expanding access and success through education,” Ellis said.
Implementation funding from MCAN will help the college bring these improvements to life in classrooms as early as next year.
Baker College is an independent, private, non-profit institution that grants associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees on six campuses across Michigan and online. Founded in 1911, the institution’s mission is to provide an inclusive, innovative, and transformative educational experience, driven by a student-first philosophy. Learn more at baker.edu and follow on X, Meta, and Instagram.